ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Weekend Mass Times Saturday 8:00pm Sunday 9:00am & 11:00am Weekday Mass Times Monday - Wednesday 6:30am Wednesday 9:00am

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1 St. Thomas Aquinas Parish & School 955 Alton Road East Lansing, MI Office Phone: School Phone: ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Weekend Mass Times Saturday 8:00pm Sunday 9:00am & 11:00am Weekday Mass Times Monday - Wednesday 6:30am Wednesday 9:00am 1 March 25, 2018 St. John Church & Student Center 327 MAC Avenue East Lansing, MI Office Phone: ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST Weekend Mass Times Sunday 8:00am, 10:00am, Noon Weekday Mass Times Monday & Wednesday 12:15pm Tuesday at 9:15pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday & Wednesday 11:00am - Noon Tuesday 3:00-9:00pm

2 P ALM S UNDAY March 25, 2018 Fr. Mark s Remarks Easter Masses With our celebration of Palm (Passion) Sunday, we enter the most holy week of the year! This week, the last confessions will be heard on Wednesday from 11:00am to Noon at St. John. Tuesday of Holy Week we will hear confession continuously from 3:00pm until 9:00pm at St. John s. Make this a part of your Holy Week if you have not gone during Lent. St. Thomas Aquinas Saturday Easter Vigil March 31 8:00pm Sunday April 1 9:00am & 11:00am St. John Church & Student Center Sunday April 1 8:00am, 10:00am, & 12:00noon I hope you attend, and invite family, friends, and neighbors to attend, the solemn and beautiful liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Both are celebrated at each parish site at different times. On Good Friday evening at 7:30pm our MSU music scholars and the STA choir will present The Crucifixion, Sir John Stainer s Passiontide Oratorio at St. Thomas. The Blessing of Easter Food is at 11:00am at STA on Saturday. I love this Catholic, cultural tradition. I remember going with my mother as a child. There will be no evening Masses. Easter Hospitality! Our Easter Masses, like our Christmas Masses, are traditionally attended by many visitors, people who may have been away from the Church for a while and people who may not be Catholic. To all of them let us extend a special welcome during this Easter season! We will receive forty people into the Church at the Easter Vigil Saturday evening which begins at 8:00pm (No 4:30pm Saturday vigil Mass). This is admittedly a long but spectacularly profound and moving Mass. Remember that the Easter Sunday Masses will be quite full, so arrive early, welcome those home for Easter, and smile at and welcome our visitors. Pick up a copy of the parish brochure entitled Ministry of Welcome & Hospitality. It includes a number of tips for being a more welcoming parishioner, e.g., making an intentional effort to smile and greet other parishioners and visitors, especially those whom you do not know, offering your first name as you greet folks at the beginning of Mass, and sitting in the middle of a pew to make it more accessible for others to sit in the pew with you. We are all ministers of welcome & hospitality! These brochures are located in the formation racks at the various Church entries please take one. For those who will be travelling for Easter let me take this opportunity to wish you safe travels and a blessed and happy Easter Day. Spring break begins for many of our families the week after Easter. Be assured of my prayers for you. See you in church! Let us all make a special effort to welcome parishioners and visitors warmly this Easter! Blessings in this Holy Week! Please Note: The Parish buildings and facilities will be CLOSED on Easter Monday, April 2. Parking at St. John Church for HOLY WEEK Don t forget that parking is available in the ramp under the Marriott as the Grove St. Ramp fills up quickly. (Regular rates apply.) Also, the meters on and around M.A.C. Ave. are in effect all day from 8:00am - 3:00am. There will be one Mass on that day 6:30am at STA. There will be no Mass or Reconciliation at SJSC. 2

3 Matthew Kelly Bringing Passion and Purpose to Michigan Join fellow parishioners to see Catholic speaker and author Matthew Kelly for Living Every Day with Passion & Purpose on May 19, :00-10:00pm at the Deltaplex in Grand Rapids. Event sponsored by Adult Faith Formation and Senior Ministry Go the EASY WAY on a bus trip departing from St. Thomas at 4:30pm. $60 ticket includes transportation, parking, entrance to the event, and a box meal. Reserve your seat now! Only 112 seats are available and expected to go quickly. Call either office to reserve your seat. Payment is due Monday, April 16. Financial Assistance is available. We offer a special thank you to Dean Transportation for their support. The Catholic Funeral Factually!...Very personal decisions influenced by your faith and beliefs. Tuesday, April 10 6:00-7:00pm St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Mac Hall Presenters Fr. Mark Inglot Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes St. Joseph Catholic Cemetary RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. PLEASE CALL HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Holy Thursday - March 29 Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:00pm - St. John Eucharistic procession to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School Gym 7:30pm - St. Thomas Adoration in the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School Gym until Midnight Good Friday - March 30 Passion of the Lord 12:15pm - St. John Stations of the Cross at 2:00pm 3:00pm - St. Thomas Holy Saturday - March 31 Blessing of Food 11:00am - St. Thomas 3

4 St. John Student Center - Home of The Catholic Spartans St. John Graduation Mass & Brunch Katie Diller - kdiller@elcatholics.org Director of Campus Ministry Joe Reis - jreis@elcatholics.org Campus Minister Sacrament of Reconciliation Holy Week Opportunities at St. John Church There are no scheduled periods for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Triduum (Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday). For this reason, we are offering an extended opportunity on Tuesday, March 27 with multiple priests in order to accommodate our parishioner's needs. 10:00am - Friday, May 4 Are you Graduating in May? Celebrate with your parish family! Catholic MSU graduates from all degree programs and their families are invited to join us for a Mass and a brunch to follow. The brunch will conclude in time for you to participate in Friday afternoon graduation activities. Brunch is complimentary, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Monday, March 26 11:00am-Noon Tuesday, March 27 3:00pm-9:00pm Wednesday, March 28 11:00am-Noon Contact Denise Zakerski at or sjsecretary@elcatholics.org by April 27 to RSVP. You can also RSVP online at stjohnmsu.org Women s Discernment Group 7:30pm on Monday, March 26 Catholic Spartans Priesthood Discernment Group Emmaus House (320 M.A.C. Ave) The Emmaus House ladies invite all college women to join them to study the book Discerning Consecrated Life by Sr. Clare Matthiass, CFP, every other Monday throughout Spring Semester. Open to all college, grad, and parish men aged 18 to 30 who would like to learn more about priesthood or religious life. Meets Mondays at 7:30pm All Semester Join us this Monday - March 26 The series will be led by Dawn Hausmann, Director of Consecrated Vocations for the Diocese of Lansing. Women will also be invited to share what God is doing in their lives and how they are discerning God s will. dhausmann@dioceseoflansing.org to learn more. For More Information Contact: Fr. Ryan Riley frryan@elcatholics.org TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE WITH DISCOUNTED PRICING FOR FAMILIES 4

5 THE NOTRE DAME CLUB OF LANSING ANNUAL PREPARATION FOR EASTER ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY For Women of All Ages Who Wish to Serve the Church Monday, March 26, :00-9:00pm St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt MONTHLY ROSARY AT SJSC Members of the Rosary Altar Society will meet in the St. John Church sanctuary at 11:45am on Wednesday, March 28 to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary prior to the 12:15pm Mass. We meet in silence near the statue of the Holy Family in the southeast corner, praying in hushed tones so as not to disturb those receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. We include general, parish, and personal intentions as requested. Please plan to join us! Dinner begins at 6:00pm, followed by Mass, Homily & Period of Reflection Conducted by: Fr. David Rosenberg Everyone is Welcome / Cost: $15.00 per person RSVP: Bob Telfer at or Prayers for Priests April Calendar Don t forget to pick up a copy of the April calendar. This month we will be praying for two of our favorite priests Fr. Jake Foglio (4/7) and Fr. Mac (4/29). Thank all of our Priests for their loving service by praying for them! Seeking Justice Through Catholic Social Teaching You may have noticed some of your fellow parishioners wearing this pin. We are members of E. L. Catholics Network. It is a local affiliate of NETWORK, the national Catholic social justice lobby sometimes known as the Nuns on the Bus. Our activities include: prayer, educating ourselves and our friends, and contacting our members of Congress. Need Prayers for a Dying Person? Want to Volunteer to be a Prayer Warrior? Our Lord said to St. Faustina, Whoever will recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet will receive great mercy at the hour of death. We meet at 6:30pm in Fr. Mac Hall at St. Thomas Aquinas on the fourth Tuesday of each month. At our next meeting, this Tuesday, March 27, we will be talking about voting rights and some issues that Michigan will face in the near future. All are welcome to join a group of individuals dedicated to praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, specifically for those who are near death, dying, or shortly after a death. All members of the parish are welcome. Please come and join us! For more information contact Ed Welch at welche@msu.edu or Al Weilbaecher at al@elcatholics.org. or If you have someone in mind for the Chaplet to be said, please send a text message or call and leave a message at any time of day or night. Message should read (or say) only - Chaplet needed or Prayers requested. We do NOT need the person s name. The Chaplet will be said as soon as possible. Pontifical Good Friday Collection Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Through the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you stand in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land as a witness of peace, supporting Catholics there in parishes and schools, maintaining Christian shrines and caring for refugees in the Holy Land. If you wish to join our Prayer Warrior team, please also call Don t Forget! Holy Thursday Food Collection and Rice Bowl Collection Thank you for your generosity! 5

6 Rice Bowl Return Remember to bring back your rice bowls to one of the Holy Week services and place them in the offertory baskets up front. Thank you so much for sacrificing for others you don't even know, as they will always remember your generosity. Online students please try to finish your classes by the end of April or let Debbie Lewis know if you need more time. She can be reached at or Pray for the Sick & Deceased Please pray that those who are ill or suffering in any way might receive the care that they need. We embrace in prayer: all our service men and women in harms way and also Denise VanAsshe, Pat Bezdek, Richard Garmyn, Dolores Gallagher, Abby Amalfitano, Nancy Reyes, and those listed in our Book of Prayer. We embrace in prayer all of our departed brothers and sisters, especially: Barb Smith, Paul Johnson, and Michael Boltrek. Men s Book Group The next gathering of the Men s Book Group will be this Monday evening, March 26, 7:30pm in the Conference Room at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. We will be reading and discussing the first half of Disappointment River by Brian Castner. All men are welcome to join us! For more information, please contact Al Weilbaecher ( or al@elcatholics.org or Bruce at bmaguire@fnba.com. Prayer Blankets Prayer blankets for the sick and pocket prayers for loved ones in the military are always available in the parish offices. 6 High School Youth Group Watching The Passion Our High School Youth Group will watch The Passion on Sunday, March 25 starting at 4:30pm in Fr. Mac Hall in preparation for Holy Week! All high school youth are welcome! Bereavement Support Group If you are struggling with loss in your life, we are here for you! We meet every other Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00pm in the Dining Room of the former rectory at STA. Our next gathering is this Wednesday, March 28, 6:00-8:00pm. If you would like more information about this faith-based bereavement support group, please call Al Weilbaecher in the STA parish office at Brochures describing the bereavement support group are available in our formation racks or on the parish web site. Anyone is welcome to attend! Do You Like to Cook? Use Your Gift to Serve Others! The St. Vincent de Paul Society at SJSC coordinates a meal at Advent House once a month. We are looking for one or two people who are interested in joining our team of cooks. Volunteers prepare and serve lunch on the third Saturday of each month. We need one or two people to join our rotation of lead cooks. Cooks shop for the food and lead the cooking team from 9:00-11:15am. If you are interested in this rewarding ministry, please contact Sue at or steinrog@msu.edu.

7 Rite of Christian Initiation Of Adults Update This Sunday the catechumens/elect and candidates and their sponsors had a retreat in preparation for the Easter Vigil. They reflected on the Paschal Mystery, the foundational saving event of Jesus Christ by which he saved us from our sins and gave us a share in the everlasting life of God. They discussed how the sacraments and all of creation lead us to God. This past Tuesday and this Sunday the inquirers ad their sponsors learned about the Mass. There are four main movements in the Mass. First, we gather, coming from many places and circumstances. The opening song unites us in a joyful spirit. We praise God through the singing of the Glory to God and the priest collects all our intentions in the opening prayer. Second, we listen to the Word of God. There are three readings which usually include one from the Old Testament, one from the epistles of the New Testament, and the third from one of the Gospels. The homily which follows breaks open those readings and applies them to our daily lives. This is followed by our statement of beliefs as found in the Creed. This movement concludes with the prayers of the faithful. Third, the assembly responds. Our gifts of bread, wine, and our monetary offerings are brought to the altar. These gifts symbolize the offering of our lives to God. During the Eucharistic Prayer our gifts of bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ and offered to God. We then recite the Lord's Prayer and exchange the sign of peace as an indication of our willingness to be one with the Body of Christ. Then we come forth to share in the body ad blood of Christ, God's greatest gift to us. This movement concludes with a prayer. Fourth, the assembly goes forth. The concluding rite includes a blessing and a dismissal which sends us forth to live out the implications of what we have just done in the Mass. We are meant to be the Body of Christ in the world, back in the many places and circumstances from which we gathered. If you have been thinking about exploring your interest in the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who has mentioned this possibility, call Pete Ries at , ext or him at pries@elcatholics.org. 7 Can You Help? We are in need of volunteers to assist with the Outreach Mass, Communion Services, and Rosary at various Retirement and Health Care facilities in East Lansing. With any ministry, it is important to keep in mind that it is the Lord's work. He assigns the tasks and uniquely gifts a variety of individuals to work together to fulfill His plan. The difference one person can make often seems minuscule, but what you re doing may make a big difference in the life and eternity of another person. The people in the various retirement and health care facilities rely on volunteers from St. Thomas/St. John to bring Jesus to them. If you feel a calling to help, please contact Deacon Ziggy. You can dcndavez@elcatholics.org, call his cell , or call the office at St. Thomas Aquinas Faith Sharing Questions for Next Sunday s Gospel We invite you to prepare for next Sunday s Easter liturgy, by reflecting on the Gospel reading for that Sunday: Another Altar Server Training Added Come one and all - brand new servers and those who want a refresher - to Altar server training on Friday, April 13, at 3:15pm in STA church. Those wishing to serve must be 10 years old (or close to it). Direct any questions to Denise Waytes at denise@elcatholics.org or Jn 20:1 9 or Mk 16:1 7 Then the other disciple also went in and he saw and believed. Do I trust in Christ s power, which I cannot see, more than the problems that I can see? Do I believe God is a good Father and only permits that which leads to greater glory for both of us?

8 OFFERTORY Actual Offertory through March 11, 2018 $1,879,213 Budgeted Offertory through March 11, 2018 $1,861,593 Deficit: $ 17,620 Please Note: The fiscal year began 7/1/2017. Offertory consists of cash and checks given at Mass, electronic giving from parishioners, and stock gifts. Christian Service - Matthew 25 March 11: Outreach to Haiti will receive $2,333 to help serve people of Haiti who are in dire need, including providing medical care and emergency food assistance. March 25: The Sisters of the Holy Cross serve desperately poor people in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, by providing emergency medical care and other assistance. March 29 (Holy Thursday): Split Catholic Relief Services who assist refugees caught in Syrian civil war by providing basic survival needs - food, water, shelter, and medical care. Bridges to Healing who provides health care for hundreds of sick, disabled, and chronically ill children living in orphanages in Mexico and Bolivia. Donations are used for the services of nurses working inside the orphanages, and for medications, surgeries, and other health care expenses. March 30 (Good Friday): The entire collection will be donated to Pontifical Good Friday Collection benefiting Christians in the Holy Land. April 1(Easter): Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project supports children in south-western Uganda who are HIV/AIDS orphans by providing nutrition and shelter. Also provides clean drinking water for the local community. Thank you for your generosity! Mercy Sunday mass for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, April 8, :00am, St. Mary Cathedral Celebrant: Bishop Boyea Luncheon to follow in the parish hall. 8 School Registration - Open Online School Year Kindergarten through 8th Grade Enroll your student now in our Parish School. The school is fully accredited and offers faith-based education K through 8. Register online at to access forms and pay the $100 registration. Payment may also be made in the office. (Tell your friends!) St. Vincent de Paul Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of the holiest of Christian weeks. Let us pray for the grace to take up our own cross and to follow Jesus through death to new life. During Lent, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was able to bring the mercy of Jesus into the hearts of the poor by assisting families with food, and money for utility and rent bills. Is depression, anxiety, pornography, anger, drinking, drugs, or gambling ruining your life? Counselors at Catholic Charities can help. The licensed counselors provide confidential counseling and therapy services in a safe and secure environment. Counseling is available for individuals, couples, families and children, regardless of your religious affiliation. We accept most insurance. Go to HaveHopeGetHelp.com today! Or phone

9 Events In our Parish Monday, March 26, :30pm Centering Prayer (SJSC) 6:30pm Alpha Session (STA) 7:30pm Men s Book Group (STA) Tuesday, March 27, :00pm-9:00pm Reconciliation (SJSC) 6:30pm EL Catholics (STA) 7:00pm RCIA Inquiry (SJSC) Wednesday, March 28, :00am Bible Study (STA) 11:00pm Senior Ministry Meeting (STA) 11:45am Rosary Altar Society Rosary (SJSC) 3:45pm Cherub Choir (STA) 6:00pm Bereavement Support Group (STA) 6:00pm RCIA for Teens & Children (STA) 7:00pm Rehearsal for the Easter Vigil (STA) Thursday, March 29, :00am Faith-Sharing Group (STA) 6:00pm SJSC Music Ensemble (SJSC) Friday, March 30, :00pm Stations of the Cross (SJSC) 7:30pm The Crucifixion Concert (STA) Saturday, March 31, :00am Food Cupboard (SJSC) 11:00am Blessing of the Food (STA) 11:00pm Reception for RCIA after Easter Vigil (STA Gym) Sunday, April 1, :00am & 11:00am Nursery (STA) 10:00am Nursery (SJSC) 10:00am Adult Choir Practice (STA) 1:00pm African Mass & Dinner (STA) Earn Money for the Parish School While Recycling! Cleaning out the clutter after winter? Don t Forget! You can recycle your newspapers, catalogs, magazines, junk mail, phone books, office/school paper, and hard and soft cover books by dropping them off in the green PAPER GATOR bin in the back parking lot. Each time we fill the bin, PAPER GATOR pays the school. Use this easy way to recycle your papers, help the school to earn money, care for the environment, and reduce waste in landfills. Please do not include plastic, metal, trash, glass, cardboard, or paperboard (grocery item boxes). Mass Intentions Monday, March 26, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Jack Bower req. by the Knights of Columbus # :15pm (St. John) Loretta Rademacher req. by the Family Tuesday, March 27, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Barbara Colando req. by Carol Clack 9:15pm (St. John) Wednesday, March 28, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Waneeta Clack req. by Carol Clack 9:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Donald John Maki req. by Thomas Adelman 12:15pm (St. John) Bob Gallavan req. by Ellen Gallavan Thursday, March 29, Holy Thursday 7:00pm (St. John) Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:30pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) Mass of the Lord s Supper Friday, March 30, Good Friday 12:15pm (St. John) Passion of Our Lord 3:00pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) Passion of Our Lord Saturday, March 31, Easter Vigil 8:00pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) People of the Parish Sunday, April 1, Easter Sunday 8:00am (St. John) People of the Parish 9:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) People of the Parish 10:00am (St. John) People of the Parish 11:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) People of the Parish 12:00pm (St. John) People of the Parish There are no evening Masses. Mid-life Singles (mid-30s to 50s) Register today for a life-changing REFLECT weekend retreat at the St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, MI on April 6-8, Cost is $175 for meals and a single room. Phone , reflect.michigan@gmail.com, or visit for details 9

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